News digest - 02/09/07

GREWAL SHOOTS 60

Sandeep Grewal (pictured), 25, has shot the best round in the history of the PGA EuroPro Tour - an astonishing 60 in the final round of the PartyPoker.net English Masters.

Grewal?s record round included an albatross at the par-5 9th at Whittlebury Park Golf and Country Club in Northamptonshire. However despite his final day heroics he finished in tied second place behind Graeme Clark (see below).

Grewal almost joined a handful of golfers to have shot a competitive round of 59. His 40-yard chip at the last hit the flag but failed to drop into the hole.

"I didn't even realise I was on for a 59," he said. "It would've been great to hit it but it's just another number and I will definitely take 60.?

LONDON AIR AMBULANCE CHARITY GOLF CHALLENGE

Ed Stewart is set to host the London Air Ambulance Charity Golf Challenge, taking place at Foxhills Club and Resort in October.

Each fourball entered has the chance to win amazing on-course prizes including an Alfa Romeo Spider, Nike Sling Shot OSS Irons and a golfing weekend in Portugal. Tickets include 18 holes of competitive golf, refreshments, a Champagne Reception, three-course dinner, after-dinner entertainment, trophies for the winning teams, and the opportunity to bid for some stunning items in the charity auction.

All money raised at the Charity Golf Challenge will go to the London Air Ambulance, which since 1989, has completed 17,000 missions, providing an essential service to London and the surrounding areas.

For more information visit www.londonsairambulance.com

CLARK SECURES CHALLENGE TOUR SPOT

Victory for Graeme Clark in the PartyPoker.net English Masters has secured him a place on the 2008 Challenge Tour.

Clark?s win, his third of the PGA EuroPro Tour season, secured a £10,000 windfall, taking his winnings to £35,000 for the year and guaranteeing him a top five finish in the end-of-season Order of Merit.

Clark?s level-par first-round score of 71 left him in equal 21st position but a four-under 67 brought him into contention and a final-day 65 secured victory by one shot ahead of Sandeep Grewal, Ian Keenan and Martin Le Mesurier.

CHANGE TO 'CLUB ADJUSTABILITY' RULES

The R&A has announced a change to the Rules of Golf regarding additional forms of club adjustability, effective from January 1 2008.

At present the rules state that woods and irons must not be designed to be adjustable, except with regard to weight. The R&A has been considering a rule change to allow more types of adjustable features in clubs since March 2005 and, following the publishing of a proposed rule change for review and comment in February 2007, the R&A has decided to adopt the proposal.

?We believe that the rule change regarding club adjustability will create opportunities for both manufacturers and golfers alike, without diminishing the challenge of the game,? said David Rickman, R&A director of rules and equipment standards.

RYDER CUP WALES SUPPORTS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Ryder Cup Wales has teamed up with the PGA to host the 2007 Welsh National Championship at Cardiff Golf Club.

John Jermine, chairman of Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Ltd, said, "We are pleased to sponsor this event as well as the Young PGA Professionals, the Welsh PGA Open and the WPGA One Day Series. These events are an important part of our annual ?Summer of Golf? programme which we organise every year.?

Cardiff Golf Club will be hosting its first national tournament in 19 years and is expecting a competitive field, including Welsh Open winner Stephen Dodd. Dodd will be accompanied by Sion Bebb, who will be looking to secure a hat trick of victories having won the tournament at Tenby Golf Club in 2006 and Southerndown in 2005.

Tenovus, the Ryder Cup Wales? official charity which funds research and after care for cancer patients, has teamed up with the tournament organsers to support the official pro-am to be played on Monday September 3.